L&S Staff Recognition

Background image: Sather Gate with cherry blossoms in foreground with the Campanile peeking out in the distance
Image credit:
Keegan Houser

Thank you, L&S Staff!

Every day, our dedicated staff strive to uphold and uplift the mission of L&S, the largest college in the #1 public university. Here, you will find a showcase of awards and recognition programs that honor the hard work and contributions of our team members. UC Berkeley also offers an array of professional development opportunities designed to empower and equip staff with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their careers. Join us in acknowledging excellence and cultivating a vibrant community of lifelong learners and leaders in the College of Letters & Science.

L&S Staff Recognition and Support Programs

College of Letters & Science Golden Bear Staff Achievement Awards - Deadline extended to July 9!

Opened May 24, 2024

The L&S Golden Bear Staff Achievement Awards are designed to formally recognize and publicize the achievements of L&S staff who demonstrate a commitment to our shared mission of teaching, research and public service. The inaugural L&S Golden Bear Staff Achievement Awards will recognize L&S staff members who excelled in collaboration, goal accomplishment, inclusion & belonging, innovation, and/or job mastery during the period of July 2023 - May 2024.

Eligibility

Current staff in the College of Letters & Science (represented positions, PPSM and MSP employees (career & contract appointments), and Academic Coordinators) may be nominated. Any member of the Berkeley campus community can submit a nomination.

Award Criteria

Awards will be given based on the Achieve Together criteria outlined below. All nominations must demonstrate excellence in one or more of the criteria:

  • Collaboration – Enhances individual work by soliciting contributions from others and enhances others’ work by contributing to their success to more effectively meet unit goals.
  • Goal Accomplishment – Achieves individual goals that contribute to unit priorities.
  • Inclusion & Belonging – Demonstrates respect for people and their differences, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, country of origin, cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations. Understands the benefits of a diverse workforce, is trusted and respected by others, includes and welcomes others, and works to understand the perspective of others.
  • Innovation – Uses knowledge, skills, and professional experience to seek efficiencies and improve work outcomes.
  • Job Mastery – Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities that result in high performance and contributions within the scope of the employee’s job description.

The L&S Administrative Advisory Committee (AAC) will review the nominations, confirm eligibility with immediate supervisors, and make final recommendations to the Deans for approval. Up to eight awards will be given each year. Recipients will be notified in August. Recipients and nominators will be invited to a recognition event in fall 2024.

Deadline

All nominations must be received via this Google form by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 9.

L&S Staff Professional Development Program

Opened May 24, 2024

The inaugural L&S Staff Professional Development Program is designed to augment professional development funding that is distributed at the individual unit level. The funding is made possible through contributions from all the Letters & Science deans. Funds can be used for course/conference registration fees and/or travel in support of your current role in L&S. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for professional development opportunities that take place during one of two cycles:

  • Cycle 1: $10,000 distribution: Professional development activities that take place from July 1, 2024-December 2024.

  • Cycle 2: $10,000 distribution: Professional development activities that take place from January 2025-June 2025. 

Cycles may close early if allocated funds are depleted and awardees are eligible for up to $1,000 per year. 

Eligibility

The fund is open to all L&S staff members who meet the following conditions:

  • Worked at L&S for at least 6 months and, if applicable, received a 'well done' or 'standout' rating during the last Achieve Together cycle or received a 'meets expectations' or higher for represented staff.

  • Obtained supervisor support for the professional development opportunity. Supervisors may be contacted for additional information.

  • Have completed and are up to date on all mandatory trainings assigned in the UC Learning Center.

  • Have already sought funding from their department and were denied or need additional funding.

Award Criteria

Priority will be given to applicants who:

  • Were not awarded adequate funding via their department

  • Have never had a professional development opportunity while at L&S

  • Demonstrate concrete ways that they can share their experience back with the unit or College at large and demonstrate how it aligns with at least one of the Achieve Together criteria.


Submit your proposal here.

L&S High Five Recognition Program

Opened May 31, 2024

The High Five program recognizes L&S staff who go above and beyond to provide service. Anyone can nominate. Nominees are entered into a monthly gift card drawing and nominators are entered into a quarterly drawing.  With permission, nominees are recognized on the L&S website.

Eligibility

Current staff in the College of Letters & Science (represented positions, PPSM and MSP employees (career & contract appointments)) may be nominated. Any member of the Berkeley campus community can submit a nomination. 

Recognize someone today by submitting this Google form.

L&S Staff Spotlight

Ongoing; Year-Round

Nominate a colleague or yourself! Our staff members do so much in support of our students, our mission, and each other -- please share suggestions for those who you'd like to see or learn about in a future L&S Staff Spotlight. You could volunteer yourself, your team, and/or others. Feel free to share more than one! 

To nominate a colleague, a team, or yourself, please fill out this form.

Questions or comments? Email: lsaac@berkeley.edu


 Campus Awards & Honors

2024 L&S Awardees

Among the highest honors bestowed upon staff by the Chancellor, COSAs are presented to individuals and teams who, in addition to performing their normal job duties with excellence, also demonstrate exceptional initiative in contributing to the UC Berkeley campus community.

Individual Award Recipient:

Harumi Quinones, Director of Student Services, Psychology

2024 L&S Awardees

The Berkeley Staff Assembly is pleased to announce the recipients of the 36th annual Excellence in Management (EIM) Award, who are recognized for leading their teams and team members to meaningful accomplishments this past year. This year’s award theme, “Cultivating Staff, Harvesting Success: Recognizing Excellence in Management”highlights leaders who excel in cultivating their staff, leading to overall success for the team and the organization.   

2024 EIM Recipients

  • Marianne Bartholomew-Couts, History
  • Jenny Cornet-Carrillo, Berkeley International Study Program
  • Serena Groen, The Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science
  • Maria Hjelm, Division of Mathematical & Physical Sciences
  • Maria Kies, Astronomy
  • Andy Murdock, Innovative Genomics Institute
  • Kirsten Swan, Division of Biological Sciences
  • Phuong N Tang, L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising
  • Fabia Terra, UC Berkeley Seismology Lab
  • Heidi Wagner, Division of Biological Sciences Deans' Office

To learn more, visit the EIM website(link is external) or contact the EIM committee at bsa_eim@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)

2023 L&S Awardees

The Excellence in Advising and Student Services Awards program recognizes outstanding work and innovation in advising and student support. 

2023 Recipients

Advising Innovation Award

Office of Undergraduate Advising, L&S T2C Team

  • Brandilyn Buckley, Senior College Advisor

  • Tanya Chirapuntu, Assistant Director

  • Floriberto "Javier" Garcia, College Advisor

  • Wendy Hernandez-Guevara, College Advisor

  • Michelle Logarta, College Advisor

  • Anay Martinez-Schurr, Senior College Advisor

  • Madalyn Morris Huerta, College Advisor

  • Emily Nahem, College Advisor

  • Karla Rodriguez-Sandher, College Advisor

Equity Champion

  • Anay Martinez-Schurr, Senior College Advisor, Office of Undergraduate Advising, L&S

Service to the Advising & Student Services Community

Office of Undergraduate Advising, College of Letters & Science Frontline Unit:

  • Anna Sanderson, Intake Advisor

  • Brielle Buechler, Intake Advisor

  • Brittany Kulusich, Intake Advisor

  • Cat Ming Hubbard, Advising Assistant

  • Phuong Tang, Supervisor

  • Rachel Remillard, Intake Advisor

  • Saifu Xu, Intake Advisor

Outstanding Advisor or Student Services Staff

  • Michael Mansfield, Undergraduate Academic Advisor, Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

2024 L&S Awardees

Each year, the Chancellor recognizes students, staff, faculty, and community partnerships that embody UC Berkeley’s proud tradition of public service and commitment to improving our local and global community. Faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, student organizations, and campus-community partnerships are all eligible. Award categories include: civic engagement, community-engaged teaching, research in the public interest, and campus-community partnership.

Staff - Civic Engagement

  • Ehren Tool, Art Practice